Fry's English Delight: The Complete Series

Stephen Fry hosts four programmes on the joys of the English language - as heard on BBC Radio 4, including Current Puns. Why does our language groan with the weight of puns? What exactly is a pun? And who, or what, is the Thief of Bad Gags?

Stephen Fry Presents a Selection of Anton Chekhov's Short Stories

"Chekhov is probably better known in Britain for his plays than for his prose. For many, however, it is his short stories that mark the high water of his genius. It might at first glance be hard for those not used to his style of narrative to see what the fuss is about - and fuss there is: for most authors and lovers of literature Chekhov is incomparably the greatest short story writer there ever was."

Stephen Fry Presents...A Selection of Short Stories

Immerse yourself in a world where the illuminating Stephen Fry reads some of the more memorable short stories of our time. A brilliant combination of reader and writer come together in these short stories available on digital download.

Fairy Tales of Oscar Wilde: In Aid of the Royal Theatrical Fund

Here is a collection of the Oscar Wilde's famous fairy tales, read by a cast of leading British actors. Additional narrators include Geoffrey Palmer O.B.E., Sir Donald Sinden, and Elaine Stritch. Music: 'Reverie De Sebastian' by Steve Davies.

The Oscar Wilde Collection

Four classic comedies from one of the wittiest playwrights in Western literature: Lady Windermere's Fan, A Woman of No Importance, An Ideal Husband, and The Importance of Being Earnest, all featuring star-studded casts with the likes of Jacqueline Bisset, Miriam Margolyes, James Marsters, Alfred Molina, Roger Rees, Yeardley Smith, Eric Stoltz, and many more. This audio also includes a chilling dramatization of Wilde's sole novel, The Picture of Dorian Gray.

Saturday Night Fry

This six-part comedy series was first broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 1988. Hosted by Stephen Fry, accompanied each week by Hugh Laurie, Jim Broadbent, Emma Thompson, and a selection of guests including Phyllida Law, Robert Bathurst, Julia Hills, and Alison Steadman, the show takes the form of a roundtable discussion, interspersed with sketches that veer tangentially from the sublime to the ridiculous.

The Importance of Being Earnest

In this classic 19th century comedy of manners, Jack Worthing and Algernon Moncrief masquerade under the name of Earnest in order to win the love of Gwendolyn and Cecily. But first they must match wits with the inimitable Lady Bracknell!

The fifth volume in CSA Word's massively popular complete and unabridged ‘Short Stories’ collection is bound to please. With something for everyone this collection of classic stories read by only the best-suited and most established readers will delight the ears as a vintage wine excites the gullet; The Vintage Collection is audible gold. Features eye-catching typographical series design.

CSA Word continues its ever-popular series of classic short stories, featuring writers such as Jerome K. Jerome, Louisa May Alcott and Saki, read by such respected and revered readers as Derek Jacobi, Hugh Laurie and Stephen Fry.

The Picture of Dorian Gray

Dorian Gray, a handsome and narcissistic young man, lives thoughtlessly for his own pleasure. One day, after having his portrait painted, Dorian makes a frivolous Faustian wish: that he should always remain as young and beautiful as he is in that painting, while the portrait grows old in his stead.

The wish comes true, and Dorian soon finds that none of his wicked actions have visible consequences. Realizing that he will appear fresh and unspoiled no matter what kind of life he lives, Dorian becomes increasingly corrupt. Only the portrait grows degenerate and ugly, a powerful symbol of Dorian's internal ruin.

The Salmon of Doubt: Hitchhiking the Galaxy One Last Time

Rescued from his beloved Macintosh, The Salmon of Doubt provides us with the opportunity to linger and frolic one last time in the uniquely entertaining and richly informative mind of Douglas Adams. For the millions of readers who expressed their grief and shock at his untimely death, this is a treasure; his final book and our last chance to see new work from an acknowledged comic genius.

Absolute Power: The Complete BBC Radio 4 Radio Comedy Series

Stephen Fry and John Bird star as masters of spin Charles Prentiss and Martin McCabe in all 22 episodes of the BBC Radio 4 series. Prentiss McCabe is a London-based 'government-media relations consultancy', and in each episode Charles and Martin are embroiled in the machinations of the British political system. This complete collection includes all 21 episodes of the four series broadcast between 2000 and 2004, plus the special 2006 episode. Duration: 11 hours approx.

The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy

Seconds before the Earth is demolished to make way for a galactic freeway, Arthur Dent is plucked off the planet by his friend Ford Prefect, a researcher for the revised edition of The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy who, for the last 15 years, has been posing as an out-of-work actor.

A Whiff of Wilde, a Pinch of Poe, and a Frisson of Frost: A Dab of Dickens, Vol. 3; Selections from A Dab of Dickens & a Touch of Twain, Literary Lives from Shakespeare's Old England to Frost's New England

They are icons of the literary world whose soaring works have been discussed and analyzed in countless classrooms, homes, and pubs. Yet for most listeners, the living, breathing human beings behind the classics have remained unknown - until now. In this utterly captivating audiobook, Dr. Elliot Engel, a leading authority on the lives of great authors, illuminates the fascinating and flawed members of literature's elite. In lieu of stuffy biographical sketches, Engel provides fascinating anecdotes.

The Tales of Max Carrados

Exclusive audio collection. Eleven Max Carrados stories - narrated by national treasure Stephen Fry. Max Carrados featured in a series of mystery stories that first appeared in 1914. Carrados featured alongside Sherlock Holmes in The Strand magazine, in which they both had top billing. The character often boasted how being blind meant his other senses were heightened. This exclusive audio collection features 11 Max Carrados stories.

The Jane Austen BBC Radio Drama Collection: Six BBC Radio Full-Cast Dramatisations

A collection of BBC radio full-cast dramatisations of Jane Austen's six major novels. Jane Austen is one of the finest writers in the English language, and this volume includes all six of her classic novels. Mansfield Park: on a quest to find a position in society, Fanny Price goes to live with her rich aunt and uncle. Northanger Abbey: young, naïve Catherine Morland receives an invitation to stay at the isolated Gothic mansion Northanger Abbey.

A Woman of No Importance

Devilishly attractive Lord Illingworth is notorious for his skill as a seducer. But he is still invited to all the "best" houses, while his female conquests must hide their shame in seclusion. In this devastating drawing-room comedy, Oscar Wilde uses his celebrated wit to expose English society's narrow view of everything from sexual mores to Americans.

Publisher's Summary

"Oscar Wilde's Fairy Tales continue to exert the same pull over the imagination and emotions as they did when he first read them to his children in the 1880s. Written with inspired poetic intensity and sudden flowerings of the matchless wit for which he is so well remembered, the stories combine the wisdom of parables with the impact of drama. I have loved them since I was a child: indeed they continue to make a child of me. I do not mind admitting that at the recording some passages were hard to read out loud without choking. I hope you will be as entranced by them as I have always been." written by Stephen Fry.

Would you listen to Stephen Fry Presents a Selection of Oscar Wilde's Short Stories again? Why?

I'm not sure if I would listen again. I love listening to Stephen Fry, regardless of what he's reading, really. But the tone of this collection of short stories left me in a peculiar mood. I was not very familiar with much of Wilde's work, I have read one or two plays, but never his stories like these. They were fable-like, contained lots of moral lessons...but not in your usual bedtime story or fairytale manner. They were portrayed in a very cynical, pessimistic, sometimes almost defeated sounding way. If the author wrote them intending a commentary on the degradation of society and drowning out of innocent good in the world, lost to pompery and selfishness, he succeeded in sharing his disillusionment.

What was the most interesting aspect of this story? The least interesting?

They were interesting to me because they made me experience a new emotional reaction, and a memorable one because it defied my expectations. Every one of the stories had incredible imagery, and painted scenes more real and often more heart-wrenching than your average short-story. Though they contained vivid characters, both noble and ridiculous, and good stories, they left me feeling a little unfulfilled in their conclusions because though the plots formed and progressed and ended, for the most part they don't follow a satisfying pattern of problems being solved, protagonists succeeding, antagonists becoming enlightened and changing their ways, and good triumphing over evil.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Really, every story moved me, but the two that have struck me the most and pulled at my heart-strings still, days and days after listening, were the moments of the self-sacrifice of the birds in both "The Happy Prince" and "The Nightingale and The Rose", both for the good of a man/mankind, and both unappreciated by the world.

If you could sum up Stephen Fry Presents a Selection of Oscar Wilde's Short Stories in three words, what would they be?

warm, heartfelt, thoughtprovoking

Have you listened to any of Stephen Fry’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Just as excellent as every else he has done. (yes I am a Fry fan!)

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

no, this is a treat to dip into

Any additional comments?

This was a lovely listen, perfect for a cool winter's night to cuddle up and listen to the mesmerising voice of Stephen Fry. The imagery is beautiful and there is always a sting to make you think. It is like having a favourite uncle read to you.

It's always special to listen to Stephen Fry read. It's extra special when he reads something that he himself loves and he loves Oscar Wilde.

This is a collection of very entertaining children stories. I'm not sure if we would consider these 'children stories' today but like Grimm's fairy tales they were at least intended to be for children when they were written.

Where does Stephen Fry Presents a Selection of Oscar Wilde's Short Stories rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

About in the middle

What did you like best about this story?

My first exposure to Oscar Wilde. These stories were entertaining but more than a little heavy headed in their tone. Wilde beat his audience over the head with his points at every turn.

What did you like about the performance? What did you dislike?

Stephen Fry did a great job emoting for these fables.

Any additional comments?

The editing was not so good. Played on an iPhone, each successive story began at virtually the same instant the last ended. No pause at all, as if the title of story N was part of the last sentence of story N-1.

I really liked the first two stories. The narration is definitely ok. But still, I was not hungry for more than those two first fairy tales. To me, Oscar Wilde will always be the author of 'Dorian Gray', not the man of the short stories.

These short, but entertaining, stories are a big hit with both my 'near teenage' son and my 20 year old daughter. Stephen's voice is, as always, a pleasure to listen to; and the stories are both entertaining and engaging.
I recommend this for a car journey where you want everyone to just calm down.

11 of 11 people found this review helpful

Tim

High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, United Kingdom

3/5/11

Overall

"More than just kid's stories.."

Having seen the other reviews, I was wary of this product & thought it may prove to be a flat note in Stephen Fry's/ Oscar Wilde's repertoire. Happily both were on top form with Oscar Wilde writing some devilishly clever stories, with his protegee Stephen Fry giving just the right voice to do them justice.

All in all, there are 6 stories (including a story-within-a-story) at 15- 30 minutes a piece, so they are manageable in a long car journey/ walk. They are as follows:

1) The Devoted Friend
2) The Happy Prince
3) The Nightingale and the Rose
4) The Remarkable Rocket
5) The Selfish Giant
6) The Young King

With all the stories I was expecting them to be either old fashioned or babyish. Fortunately they are neither & you can see why Fry says on the back cover that 'I do not mind admitting that at the recording some passages were hard to read out loud without choking'.

Like the 'Stephen Fry Presents - Short Stories by Anton Chekhov', though, I have the same nagging grievance - why is it only 6 stories & 2 hours 14 minutes of material? Fair enough that Wilde wrote few short stories, but a double album with the Chekhov stuff (or better still with some of Wilde's under-rated poetry) would have made a much more desirable product.

That said, I can think of few instances where a great narrator has been so perfectly matched with an author. Wilde & Fry are very much cut from the same cloth & Fry has even made a film playing his doupelganger.
The only thing I can think of comparable to this pairing is that of Dawkins reading Darwin on 'On The Origin of Species' & I wonder why it is not done more often.
Can anyone imagine The Queen reading 'Queen Victoria's Journals', or Terry Pratchett reading 'The Lord of the Rings'? It would give a whole new meaning to the phrase 'bringing a book to life'...

9 of 9 people found this review helpful

Lauren

LondonUnited Kingdom

8/22/09

Overall

"Simply Delicious"

I could not help crying as I heard the story of the Selfish Giant, and the voice of Stephen Fry reading the story simply made the entire listening experience delicious. It is a guilty pleasure of mine to listen to a wee bedtime story, and this audiobook is the perfect thing for a sleepy-head. For children and adults alike. As I say, it is simply delicious.

5 of 5 people found this review helpful

Gustav

London, United Kingdom

6/17/12

Overall

"Oscar Wilde + Stephen Fry = Truth"

How could you possibly go wrong when you combine Oscar Wilde and Stephen Fry? They were made for each other!

I don't like short story compendiums very much, so the fact that I gave this a 4 is a good rating. (5 are reserved for books that truly moves me.)

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

Ian

London, United Kingdom

2/10/11

Overall

"Fry brings Wilde to life"

That these stories were written by Wilde for his own children just makes them all the more special. Stephen Fry narrates them with his usual inimitable style and charm and really brings them to life.

The story that stood out for me was the tale of The Happy Prince. Hearing it again brought back memories of it being read to me in school assembly and it was read with such tenderness by Fry it is hard not to feel emotional as the narrative progresses.

I had downloaded the book to listen to with my daughter as she went to sleep but I stayed listening long after she had dropped off. Highly recommended.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Donna

HarrietshamUnited Kingdom

1/12/10

Overall

"A gem of an audiobook for young & old alike !"

Exceptionally narrated by Stephen Fry, these classic Oscar Wilde stories which include "The Unfriendly Giant" and the "The Happy Prince" reminds us of the need for giving to those who are not as fortunate as ourselves, and to embrace those who appear different and show them kindness and love. A great moral builder for children, and reminder for us adults. A gem of an audiobook!

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

K J L Finesilver

4/10/15

Overall

Performance

Story

"recording issue"

that there was no break between stories meant listening was a jarring experience. I hope this issue was technical not stylistic.

0 of 0 people found this review helpful

Yas

7/8/14

Overall

Performance

Story

"Read and written by masters!"

What made the experience of listening to Stephen Fry Presents a Selection of Oscar Wilde's Short Stories the most enjoyable?

I read the stories when I was a child. Having them read by Stephen Fry brought back some fond childhood memories. If you have children I find that these stories are great for them to listen to and to discuss the morals in the stories.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Stephen Fry Presents a Selection of Oscar Wilde's Short Stories?

The Selfish Giant used to be a little scary for one of the younger children in the family. However, a year later they were loving the story as they could understand it better. (Age 9)

Which scene did you most enjoy?

The Happy Prince where the swallow takes all the things the prince gives to help the people. So moving!

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I could happily listen to it in one sitting, although the book is split into 6 short stories so can be listened to in a number of sittings.

0 of 0 people found this review helpful

GenKan

5/30/14

Overall

Performance

Story

"My favorite book on Audible"

What did you like most about Stephen Fry Presents a Selection of Oscar Wilde's Short Stories?

How sweet you can make a character, then add some feeling from Stephen and you get a perfect combination. Fell in love with almost every character

What was one of the most memorable moments of Stephen Fry Presents a Selection of Oscar Wilde's Short Stories?

The end of "The Selfish Giant", had me almost cryingTook so many unexpected turns, made adjustments, came to a conclusion and didn't end up in a perfect situation but was contempt. Just to end a way I never expected

Which scene did you most enjoy?

"The Nightingale and the Rose" when the bird tried to fix the rose.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No, I would take a break between stories to get to process them a bit. Not sure but felt like they were somewhere around 30-45 min so to me it was a perfect sitting.

Any additional comments?

Its just a perfect choice of stories, narrator and the timelessness of the stories really make them work until the end of time.

If I had to describe this collection with three words it would be: heartbreaking and heartwarming

0 of 0 people found this review helpful

Mr

Gloucester, United Kingdom

12/23/12

Overall

"Reliving childhood memories"

As a child I loved reading the short stories of Oscar Wilde and have vivid memories of the golden statue of the happy prince and his little swallow who stays with him and the selfish giant's garden. What a joy therefore to discover these six tales on Audible to relive those memories and play them to my children. Stephen Fry is an excellent reader, and somehow manages to capture both the simplicity and complexity of these tales, that have just as much to offer to me now as an adult as they did as a child. It is great to be able to share these tales now with my children and to see that Wilde's stories impact them just as much as they did me when I was there age. Too good not to share.

0 of 0 people found this review helpful

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